30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 14

I'm really happy with today's piece. I just love the colors and the style of this one. I'm bummed the photo isn't quite as vibrant as the actual painting...It's a lot darker/deeper than it looks here.  I wanted a bit of a nautical flair, so I added the yacht stripes for some extra style. I've never been one to do much with pattern, but I'm dipping my toes in a bit.

This challenge is about half way done; thank GOD! It's so hard to complete paintings every single day and be a full-time Mom to three. I get pretty darn grouchy by the time 3:00PM rolls around! So far, I'm learning how to plan my paintings to make the most of my little bits of time. I'm also learning that I can fit a lot more in the day than I thought I could! OK. Off to bed I go!

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 13

Hi friends!

Today I decided to do a HUGE painting. At least, it's huge for me! It's 30 x 40 inches wide and 1.5" deep. I wanted to do a "showstopper" kind of piece...a focal point for a room. I'm thrilled with how it came out; colorful, whimsical, and energetic. Painting large is hard for me; you really have to make sure you are mixing your colors well or things get flat easily. But, it's so satisfying when the piece is complete. I'm certainly ready for bed though! It took a lot out of me! I hope you like it too!

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 12

Hi friends!

This post is up a day late; but I DID do the painting yesterday and posted it on my Instagram and Facebook. It got too late and I was ready for bed...I just didn't have it in me to do the blog post. Sigh. So, here's yesterday's painting...I was inspired by the florals I've been doing; but wanted to try it in a more abstract and meditative way. I'm not thrilled with it; but I learned something new in terms of what I DON'T like! It all is part of the process! :) It's 18x24 inches; watercolor on paper.

30 Paintings 30 Days: Day 11

Today's painting was done in the morning during quiet prayer time. I let the brush and my hand just do what they felt they wanted and this is what came forth. Since then I have been thinking about 9/11 and how it almost feels like yesterday; yet a lifetime ago. It's a strange feeling. Now, when I look at this piece, I can see the representation of that day despite my not trying to do so. Some say God speaks through our art when we allow it. I wonder if that's true; today it certainly seems so.

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 9

Hi friends! Today I decided to try and create a painting using all my favorite bright colors at once. Whew! It is colorful! It's definitely a dose of serious happy. I used a patterned cloth under the vase in this one; just to add a little more interest and style. I'm happy with it! This one took me all day long because the kids interrupted me pretty much non-stop. I got a minute or two in here and there and am finally able to post it here now before I go to bed! This one is 11x14 acrylic on canvas. Huzzah!

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 8

Hi friends!

Today's abstract floral painting is itsy-bitsy. The size is 5x5 inches and 1.75 inches thick acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. It's quite cute! I think it would look cool on a shelf with a collection of other nice bits; or sitting on a vanity with perfumes and such... I love the vintage inspired color palette. I think I'll have to paint these colors on a large canvas! I'm in love with that Peacock Blue paint! I'm having so much fun painting these whimsical florals! I feel so free and relaxed when I'm making them. I'm getting into the groove of what I most like to paint now! Painting every day has been a challenge with the kiddos around. (That's why I'm doing this though...to force myself to find a way!) Today I nearly didn't get to do it, but I stole a minute here and there. I find that if I plan out the painting in my head before I start, I can usually work on it layer by layer whenever I get a free moment or two. Eventually, it gets completed! Would I love to just sit and paint in one session? Absolutely! But, necessity calls for me to be more flexible with my expectations and find new ways to approach my work. Baby steps!

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 7

Hi friends!

This piece is similar to yesterday's. I needed more unwinding/meditating and it's perfect for Labor Day! My 6 year old daughter, Paige, ran to me with a "bouquet" she'd made out of leaves. They were a wonderful mix of fresh green and yellow leaves combined. That is always my visual reminder for the end of summer's closing in. The green leaves start to turn yellow and then red. Her little bouquet looked so lively and fresh; I just had to paint my impression of it. I live in New England and detest winter. It's nice for the first week and then I'm over it...why the heck do I live here??? No, the seasons are quite beautiful and there's always a tinge of melancholy when one closes. But, before that happens I had to catch the last colors of summer! Like the last painting, this one would look great as a focal point in a sleek frame. ( The actual watercolor paper is white; but I think the white-balance was off on my camera for this one so it looks much more gray than it really is. )

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 6

Hi Friends! Today's painting is a more spiritual/meditative piece of art. I needed to unwind after a difficult week caring for the kiddos. I needed some quiet and some space...just to get out my favorite colors and watch as they worked together under my watchful gaze. It was so relaxing and therapeutic. Sometimes it is nice to be zen and watch things unfold as they might. There's a release in that; and a real surrender of control. We all need that sometimes. This painting is the tangible product of this process and it's going to look great framed and as a focal point piece.

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 5

Hi friends!

Welcome to Day 5 of the painting challenge! This is the same bouquet I painted in Day 2; but this time I added my own color interpretations and did a much more loose and painterly style. Much more abstract. I wanted to emphasize the fun color and positive energy I felt when I saw the bouquet. I like how it has a whimsical and vintage feel...this would be so cute paired with other small paintings, drawings, and prints. I'd love to do a painting like this but HUGE. A giant focal point in a dining room or entry-way that really gives a space a laid-back and fun happy cottage vibe. I think it would look cool paired with more serious furniture to give the room a twist of something unexpected and lighthearted. This piece has a lot of spunky personality and can have the same affect for the room it's in! Since I'm exploring my style here, I'm VERY curious to know which version of this painting is your favorite? Day 2 or Day 5?

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 4

 

Hi friends! Here is today's painting I created...a nautical painting for sailing fans or lovers of nautical style. I love how this is a fresh take on what could have been a more stodgy looking affair. Thanks for visiting!

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 3

Hi friends! Here is my daily painting! This is Nubble Light in York, Maine. I had to do another coastal scene; summer isn't over yet! I am happy with the loose strokes of color in this one; I just sort of "WENT for it!" I must admit, though, that it wasn't as "fun" for me to create as the florals were. That may be a clue toward the direction I'm going. But, I'm going to keep experimenting! 27 paintings to go! I have another floral on the horizon (this one is to be more abstract) and I've got a sailboat planned as well as a lake scene. It's nice to have an outlet for all the ideas swimming in my head! I can sort of dump them out and share them with the world. I love what I do!

3o Paintings in 30 Days: Day 2

Hi friends!

I've completed today's painting! With her permission, I used Jenna Griffin's (of Gold & Bloom) floral arrangement as inspiration. (follow her amazing  feed on instagram @goldandbloom). It's 16x20 inches, acrylic on canvas. I'm thrilled with how this one came out; I just love these colors. So soft and nostalgic. Although interestingly,it came out a lot more "tight" than I'd planned. I had originally wanted to do something more abstract, simpler strokes, and much more painterly. But, it didn't feel right to do that at the time and here's how it came out.

I think I'm going to try another version that is much more loose and see how it goes. Stay tuned! Thanks for stopping by! As with any of my paintings, please feel free to inquire at megan@megancartyart.com if you are interested in purchasing a piece!

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Hi there friends! Happy September!

Oh boy; I've gone and signed up for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!" My goal is to complete 1 painting each day for 30 days; even if they are tiny and simple.  I've decided to do this project because I have 3 small children (ages 6, 3 and 7 months) and finding time to paint is VERY difficult. This will force me to use my time wisely and figure out how to create even when the kids are at my feet. I can't keep using them as an excuse not to paint! I've gotta just find a way and they need to learn to WAIT! Ha! Another reason for the project is to develop my style...I keep floundering on what I most enjoy painting and I hope to gain clarity this month! I go from New England landscapes, to nautical scenery, to abstract/impressionist florals, to abstract watercolor. You know, I just LOVE color and so many things inspire me! My goal with my work is to spread happiness and positive energy through a stylish painting and I think happy color is the way to do that. Perhaps this month I will be able to discern what I most enjoy painting; and develop my style in that area. I'm excited for the challenge! I hope you'll sign up for blog updates via the RSS feed thingie and visit hereeach day to see each new work; it should be fun to see what happens. I'll also be posting the paintings on my Instagram feed...you can follow me @meandwee. Hooray!

Today's piece is an impressionistic floral painting using  my favorite colors together. I love the gestural quality in the shapes and the bright colors.  It's a 16x20 acrylic on canvas. Phew!

Unique Animal Nursery Art by Megan Carty

Hi friends! I'm so excited! Do you have a child's room or nursery that needs some cute artwork that is unique? Or, maybe you want some fun quirky art for your office or playroom?

I'm so excited about my new line of multi-media work! I've got a long list of baby animals I am painting using Acryla Gouache on clayboard. Then, I take some Arches watercolor paper and create a fun accessory for the critter using gouache and then trim it out with an X-Acto knife. I apply gel-medium to the back and affix it to the painting and it's done!

You can watch a time-lapse movie of me making one!

[embed]https://youtu.be/8UWaVZS13bw[/embed]

I LOVE them. I've shown my original pieces to several people and everyone has commented that they would love the designs as prints, so I've gone ahead and created some! And for the true test, I've shown them to classrooms of children who all loved them and wanted one for themselves. That's a good sign!

The giclee prints I made are archival quality using professional inks that will last more than a lifetime on 100% cotton rag ultra thick paper. I've sized them at 12x12 inches...not too big and not too small. When they are framed, they really make a nice statement on their own or as part of a group.

Do you have an animal you'd like to see? Let me know in the comments below! I'm currently working on a unicorn, a bear cub, and a baby fox (kit) and have a list of others I'd like to do. Only so much time in a day, especially with 3 little ones underfoot! Ha!

I'm selling the original pieces here in my shop and I'm selling the unframed prints at my Etsy store (where you can find more details on each print!) I hope you like them as much as I do!

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